Hello all,
So let's dive into an arch that has a lot to offer us.
She needed a husband of convenience. She got her one true love instead. Miss Fiona Hartley's huge dowry should have ensured that finding a husband would be quick. True, she's a tad older than the average debutante, and spends too much time sketching brutally honest character portraits. She desperately needs a husband so she can access her dowry, lest the man blackmailing her reveals a secret that would ruin her family. So desperate in fact, that she's willing to do the unthinkable - propose marriage to the most surly, irritable gentleman in town. As a matter of principle, David Gray, the Earl of Somerdale, avoids two types of women: those who are obviously desperate, and those who are stark-raving mad. And it soundly appears Miss Fiona Hartley is both. Yet David can't help but be drawn to her, and gives her a test - if she can spend one week in his dilapidated estate - the same one that caused his previous fiancee to jilt him - then he'll consider her proposal. But as the week goes on, Fiona's refreshing wit find a way into his heart. What started out as a marriage of convenience has turned into love but will Fiona have him for the rest of her days?
So let's dive into an arch that has a lot to offer us.
The First Earl I See Tonight
She needed a husband of convenience. She got her one true love instead. Miss Fiona Hartley's huge dowry should have ensured that finding a husband would be quick. True, she's a tad older than the average debutante, and spends too much time sketching brutally honest character portraits. She desperately needs a husband so she can access her dowry, lest the man blackmailing her reveals a secret that would ruin her family. So desperate in fact, that she's willing to do the unthinkable - propose marriage to the most surly, irritable gentleman in town. As a matter of principle, David Gray, the Earl of Somerdale, avoids two types of women: those who are obviously desperate, and those who are stark-raving mad. And it soundly appears Miss Fiona Hartley is both. Yet David can't help but be drawn to her, and gives her a test - if she can spend one week in his dilapidated estate - the same one that caused his previous fiancee to jilt him - then he'll consider her proposal. But as the week goes on, Fiona's refreshing wit find a way into his heart. What started out as a marriage of convenience has turned into love but will Fiona have him for the rest of her days?
Review
Rating: 4/5 Stars
What I expected: Overall I expected something like as well crafted as a Karen Marie Moning or Lesley Pearse.
What I got: I got something I would expect from the Mills and Boon publisher. It felt like it wasn't in the right place, but I truly loved the story. I would be highly interested in seeing how the author develops the storyline.
10 pages in are gripping.
50 pages in are enthralling.
100 pages are easy to read.
150 pages are so far really fun to read.
200 pages in I feel amused.
250 pages have a great twist in the pilot here.
300 pages I fell in love.
372 pages in, I just fell for this ending.
Review with SPOILERS:
Fiona writes a proposal to Gray (Lord Ravenport) asking to marry him. In hopes of protecting her sister from the scandal, they are expecting. She doesn't feel that she can turn to anyone. She meets with Ravenport She finds herself begging for a minute of his time. They get rained out of the park and take shelter in his carriage. He dares her to kiss him and its an awkward kiss. She is desperate for him to consider the proposal and will do almost anything to get him to just think about the arrangement.
Gray invites Fiona to the Fortress in hopes of putting her off or finding someone else for her to latch onto. Lord Ravenport stops by to invite them personally. Fiona sends flowers to herself along with poetry that has the women swooning. Lily thanks him for the flowers on her sister's behalf. During this part were learn about Lily's history with the family. The scandalous secret that Fiona is protecting. This takes place after they have been getting their dresses fittings.
We learn more about Ravenport from his point of view. Fiona takes him aside where she apologises for bringing him in on the lie. Ravenport plots how to rid himself of her. The blackmailer sends another note before she leaves for the Fortress.
Arriving at the Fortress, Lily tells Fiona how she isn't impressed by her surroundings or having to share a room with Fiona. Keeping the blackmail a secret becomes harder for Fiona so she decides to sketch in the garden. Gray has an explosive reaction to finding her drawing in the garden. She helps to see the beauty of his mermaid fountain. This leads to their first proper passionate kiss. She loses the blackmailers note and must wait till morning to try to find it. She is a wreck with fear.
Dinner becomes a mess. Mumma can't get by the flaws of the house. Fiona can't relax about the note. She excuses herself to search for the note. Ravenport stumbles upon her and helps her to look for what she tells him is an earring. He gets them a lantern. Fiona waits on a bench for him but falls asleep. She is awoken by Lord Pentcham. He asks her to go on a country drive with him, he says he would like to give her his lantern. Fiona's tired but acts otherwise.
Fiona gives Ravenport a hard time at archery. He promises to make it up to her. A secret meeting in the library. He's eager for her to start sketching him. He's jealous about her spending time with the other Lords and Earl. Fiona tries to seduce Gray and does.
She has a conversation with his grandmother. Ravenport becomes withdrawn during their time there. Fiona goes to the village on an excursion where Mr Kirby pulls her aside. He gives her the note that he found and offers her his support. Gray miss reads the conversation and it leads him to feel new emotions. Fiona and Gray meet again in secret. They come to terms and secretly engaged.
Sketching turns passionate, she loves her virginity. Fiona worries that he might have changed his mind. Learns of the arrival of Fiona's father. Learns of the ball that is to be held at the end of their stay.
Fiona goes on a picnic where she climbs a rock to sketch. Lord Pentcham helps her carry her utensils up with her. Mr Kirby talks to her about the note and it's the last thing she wants to talk about. She is climbing back down when Gray arrives. Fiona falls due to his distraction. He helps her through the shock of the fall. He takes her back to the manor on horseback. Fiona shows her sketch to him. He's touched it's for his grandmother. Fears her wiggling her way into his heart and his grandmothers. Gray and Fiona make plans to go to the river. Sophia, Lily and other guests join them. Fiona fears Sophia's match with Sophia. She fears her marrying the wrong man.
Grays Grandmother encourages her to talk to him about his past. He wants to be with her always. They go to the river together. Gray arrange some alone time with Fiona. She reveals her blackmail problem to Gray. They share and enjoy some intimate time together Shows Fiona his rope swing, where he used to escape too. He shares his family history with her, his own scandalous secret. His trust issues.
Fiona finishes the sketch and during her day getting ready for the ball discovers who her blackmailer is. None other than Gray's best friend Kirby. She is given her mothers necklace and it makes her feel like her mother is there. Mr Kirby threats to expose Lily and Gray's secret to the world. She has to leave Gray and sell her necklace in order to save them. Fiona is rattled by Lady Helene. She tries to call it off with Gray but they interrupted. They make love. All hell breaks loose in the ballroom.
Lightning has nearly destroyed the ballroom with a fallen tree. Everyone is okay though. Lady Helene tries to steal the engagement announcement but Gray stops her. Fiona's father storms out of the room. He arranges for Fiona and him to leave in the middle of the night. When Gray re-bucks Lady Helene she lashes out at him. The ball comes to a rapid close. He makes Lily deliver a message to Fiona who still leaves.
Lily leaves with Sophie and her stepmother in the morning. She tells him that he has to give Fiona time. He knows that she doesn't have time. Fiona tries to ask her mother for the money but is turned down when she can't tell him what its for. She tries to get her sketch and journal back from Gray's house. Gray discovers the note. He follows Kirby not able to believe what he was seeing. Gray ends up confronting Mr Kirby.
Gray makes a public plea for Fiona in the paper by publishing her sketch of their hands with a poem. It sways her. He has proven he can love and be romantic. They get publically engaged. HearSay asks for Fiona's sketches weekly with a line or two of poem. She agrees.
At the rope swing, she takes a leap of faith and it works out. His grandmothers touched by her sketch. They have a truly happy ending.
Thank you for stopping by and hope you come back soon.
Kristal McKerrington
